'Messed him up': Gladstone worker sues Bechtel for $3.1m

A GLADSTONE worker is suing his former employer for over $3.1 million, alleging sustained bullying and harassment at a Curtis Island work site.

The man was employed as a labourer from April 2013 at Bechtel Construction's Curtis Island site when it is alleged he was subjected to harassment by several members of his work crew, including supervisors.

Documents lodged in the Supreme Court at Rockhampton state the man was bullied from November 2013, with colleagues using intimidating gestures, forcibly placing a shovel in his hand, kicking his chair and flicking saliva laced paper at his head, writing sexually explicit messages on Facebook, and calling him several names (further allegations are listed below).

In February 2014, the man told his supervisor he was struggling to work with those involved and on March 1 sent a text message saying the bullying had "messed him up", causing him to see a psychologist.

When the man returned from sick leave, he was told those who had allegedly been harassing him had told the rest of the crew not to work with him.

The man filed a letter of complaint with a fill-in supervisor, who passed it onto the employee relations representative.

The court documents allege Bechtel did not commence any investigation into the complaint.

Included is also a sum of $2,289,783.87 for future economic loss, with the documents stating the man's injuries "will forever preclude his return to work in the construction or mining industry or in any other form of employment".

Both Bechtel and the lawyers acting on behalf of the man declined to comment further while the matter was before the courts.